Tallahassee, FL - In January 2013, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Loss Prevention personnel from both Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in reference to a series of thefts.

Property Crimes Detectives were able to confirm that seven individuals had been involved in an organized scheme that defrauded the Lowe’s stores out of more than $5,000.00 dollars. Beginning in November of 2012, Lesley Young, 39, began visiting both Lowe’s stores.

Young took merchandise off the shelves, going to the customer service counters and obtaining merchandise cards as refunds for returning the items that were never purchased.

When store personnel flagged Young’s identification for not having proof of purchase for items returned, Young began soliciting others to assist her in the scheme. On twelve occasions between November 2012 and January 2013, Young and another person would enter the stores and continue the thefts with the other person presenting identification each time.

Detectives, working with Loss Prevention personnel, reviewed video surveillance of these incidents, identified the suspects and obtained arrest warrants. As contact was established with each suspect, they were interviewed and taken to the Leon County Jail.

One of the defendants, Octvter Stibbins, 39, is in custody in Dade County, Florida on unrelated charges. Stibbins will be charged here upon the conclusion of the unrelated charges.

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